Connecting Society: How everyday data can shape our lives

In this blog, we hear from podcast co-hosts Professor Mark Green from the University of Liverpool, and Shayda Kashef, ADR UK Senior Public Engagement Manager. They explore how they hope the new ADR UK podcast will inspire curiosity, encourage deeper conversations, and shine a light on the immense value of data in shaping a better future.

In a world where data is at the heart of so many decisions, it can sometimes feel impersonal or even intimidating. But with Connecting Society, a new podcast from ADR UK, we are hoping to change that. Our mission is to open up conversations about the powerful potential of administrative data, exploring how it can make a real difference in people’s lives. As co-hosts, we are excited to invite listeners to join us as we dive into stories that reveal how data is impacting society in ways you might never expect.

What is Connecting Society?

Connecting Society is a six-part series that takes listeners on a journey through different ways administrative data can be used to improve outcomes for communities and individuals. Administrative data—information collected by government and public sector organisations—provides a wealth of insight that, when used responsibly, has the power to shape positive change in society. Each episode explores a unique topic, from improving the justice system to the ethics of data use. Our goal with this podcast is to make complex concepts accessible and engaging for a wider audience, demystifying the process of how data is used for research and showing the human stories behind the numbers.

Behind the mic: Our experience as co-hosts

Being co-hosts for Connecting Society has been an inspiring experience. Not only have we had the chance to speak with experts in fields like healthcare, education, and criminal justice, but we’ve also heard first-hand from individuals on the impact of data in action. What’s most exciting is having the chance to ask the questions that many of us might have when it comes to data—What does it mean? Why should I care? And, perhaps most importantly of all, what’s your favourite statistic?

One of the most surprising parts of co-hosting has been discovering how personal data stories can be. Rather than seeing data as something distant or purely analytical, we learn how each dataset represents real people, real issues, and real opportunities for change. It’s a privilege to help uncover these stories for our listeners.

What we hope to achieve

Our goal with Connecting Society is to spark curiosity and dialogue. We want to reach people who might not typically think about data as part of their everyday lives, showing them that it’s much more than numbers on a page. Data, in the right hands, can reveal critical insights, support better decision making, and ultimately improve lives. By breaking down these complex concepts and making them relatable, we hope our listeners will come away with a better understanding of what data can do and why it matters.

Whether you consider yourself a a data enthusiast or not, we invite you to tune in and explore the incredible ways that data is connecting us all.

What can you expect as the listener?

Throughout the series, we’re exploring topics like:

• the role of data in improving opportunities for young people
• ways data informs policies on crime prevention and rehabilitation
• how data is shaping healthcare outcomes and addressing health inequalities.

Each episode offers a fresh perspective, illustrating the many ways data impacts our lives, often in unexpected ways. We’re excited to keep discovering these insights alongside our listeners.

As we continue this journey, we hope Connecting Society will inspire curiosity, encourage deeper conversations, and shine a light on the immense value of data in shaping a better future. So, if you’re interested in seeing data in a whole new way, join us for Connecting Society. You may just find that these stories resonate more personally than you’d think.

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Connecting Society is produced by the ADR UK Strategic Hub with support from the ADR UK Communications Steering Group. It can be found on podcast streaming directories including Spotify, Podcast Index, and Podcast Addict.